Amusement device



Oct. 19, 1937.

F. K. MAITLAND 2,096,348

AMUSEMENT DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 18, 1934 1 Z 3 SWW/M01,

/107 l Frank K. Muff/and Srta: MAJ

Oct. 19, 1937. F. K. MAITLAND 2,095,348

AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed June 18, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l5 um www Oct. 19, 1937. F. K. MAITLAND AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed June 18, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 wuc/wm Frank K. Mcu'zland Patented Oct. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES AMUSEMEN T DEVICE Frank K. Maitland, Hermosa Beach, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Exhibit Supply Company, linois Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Il- Application June 18, 1934, Serial No. 731,127

10 Claims.

My invention relates to an amusement device and contemplates the playing of a game thereon, the outcome of said game being dependent upon the skill of the player.

My invention relates to amusement devices, and has particular reference to game boards employing counters which may be distributed in various positions upon the board, the positions designating predetermined values. l Game boards employing a number of pockets, holes or other play-piece receptacles, distributed thereover to receive playing pieces projected upon the board, are well known, the most common form thereof being known as the pin and marble games, comprising, essentially, a playing board provided with a plurality of holes for the reception `therein of balls which are projected upon the playing eld by any suitable projecting device. These boards are usually -0 supported at a considerable angle to the horizontal so that the ball once projected upon the board will travel by gravity over the board, striking the pins or other obstructions disposed over the surface of the boardA to direct the balls into the various pockets thereon. Each of the pockets is usually designated with a predetermined scoring value so that those pockets in which it is most diilicult to place the balls have the higher scoring values.

To add further attractiveness to the game, various devices for advancing the scoring values are sometimes provided, and it is an object of my invention to provide a new and novel device for advancing the scoring values of the playing pieces or balls which are projected upon the game board.

Another object of my invention is to provide a game board with a plurality of traps, and means for releasing the ball in at least one of said traps.

Another object of my invention is to provide a game board with a, plurality of traps, and with a predetermined pocket on the remaining portion of the board which is adapted to receive a ball therein to operate mechanism for releasing the ball in at least one of said traps to advance the value of said released ball.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple and novel operating mechanism for de- 50 termining which -one of the plurality of traps is opened and the ball therein released.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from, and best understood by r the following detailed description of the mecha- J0 nism illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the amusement deviceconstructed in accordance with my invention;

FigurekZmisda detailed diagrammatic View of the electrical circuit and operating mechanisms;

Figure 3 is a detailed vertical sectional View of a portion of the board, taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan View partly in section of the indicator of my invention;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 7 1 of Figure l;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 8 8 of Figure 7.

Referring to the drawings, I have illustrated, in Figure l, a game board apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention,'as comprising a suitable, substantially rectangular cabinet l, the upper surface of which is adapted to be enclosed by means of a top 2 constructed of glass or other transparent material, which will permit a view of the playing board 3 therethrough. The playing board is illustrated as comprising an elongated rectangular board extending from the upper end 4 of the cabinet to a point spaced slightly inwardly of the lower end 5 of the cabinet.

'Ihe board 3 forms a main playing eld over which play pieces, such as balls, may be projected and is provided with a suitable border construction 6 comprising a substantially curved surface at the upper end of the board and providing relative narrow marginal portions 'l and 8 extending along the extreme sides of the playing eld to assist in the guiding of balls over the playing eld. A portion of the border member 6 is illustrated as comprising a relatively thin wall S which extends along the right-hand side of the playing field but substantially inwardly a short distance from the extreme outer side boundary 1 thereof to constitute therebetween a channel l0 through which balls may be projected by means of a suitable spring projecting mechanism H located at the lower right-hand side of the cabinet.

The playing surface of the playing board 3 is provided with a number of holes I2 extending therethrough to constitute play-piece receptacles or ball-receiving pockets distributed in any desired pattern throughout the board. Each of the holes l2 is designated with a predetermined scoring value, dependent upon the diiculty of placing the ball in the particular pocket. To further hinder entrance of balls into the various pockets, I provide pins I3, or other obstructing devices, which will be encountered by the balls, causing them to bound from the pins or obstructions in various directions vas the ball passes downwardly over the playing lield 3. At the lower end ofthe playing eld there is an elongated opening I4 which is adapted to receive the balls that are not projected into any of the holes I2 orV trapsy hereinafter mentioned. The opening I4 ordinarily has no scoring value. Y

The ,end of the playing eld 3, adjacent the upper end 4 of the cabinet, is at a considerably f higher elevation than that portion of the playing board near the lower end 5 of the cabinet, so that the balls once projected upon the field will tendV to move by gravityY downwardly over the'V iield,'traversing various paths, depending upon the pins which may be encountered by the ball during its passage over the playing eld.

The game may be made considerably more attractive by providing a mechanism which may advance the score of one or more of the balls placed in certain receptacles l'or traps upon the projection of anotherball into a selected other pocket. I have provided such a mechanism.

' In the'particular example of my invention disclosed herein, I have provided six traps, I5, I6, I'I, I8, I9 and 20. The traps I5, IB, and I1 are formed within suitable guide bars 2i and 22 Y, within'which guide bars are also provided ball receiving pockets 25, 25 and 21. The traps I8, IS Vand 2D are formed within suitable guide bars 23 and 24 which are similar to guide bars 2l and 22 respectively, and Within which are'provided ball receiving pockets 28, 29 and 3D.

. The traps ordinarily have no scorlng value, but the predetermined scoring values of each of the Y pockets 25-30 inclusive is ordinarily considerably .AATO

higher than'that of the average of the holes I2. Each of the pockets 25-3 inclusive is designated withV a predetermined scoring value, dependent upon thedifculty of placing a ball in the par-V ticular pocket, and'in the example of my invention disclosed herein', pockets 29 and 30 have the highest scoring values. Y

- A second board 35 is'mounted immediately below the playing board 3, provided with a plurality of holes 36 and an elongated hole 3l distributed in exactly the'same pattern as the pattern of the holes I2, pockets 25-30 inclusive and elongated hole I4, in the playing board 3, but the secondary board is preferably slightly shorter than the playing board 3 so that when the same is in its normal position, as illustrated in Figure l, the holes 35Y and 31 thereof'are spaced slightly out of alignment with the holes I2 and I4 and pockets 25-30 inclusive on the playing field 3. The secondary i board is slidably mounted for movement longitudinally of the cabinet 5 and may be moved toward the upper wall 4 of the cabinet by means of suitable coin-controlled mechanismillustrated at 38, the secondary board 35 being Vnormally urged to move to its normal position shown in Figure 1 by means of suitable springs 39.

When the secondary board 35 Vis in its normal position, as illustrated in Figure 1, the holes I2 and YI4V and pockets 25-30 inclusive constitute pockets or ball-receiving depressions, permitting the balls to be seated therein, resting upon the secondary boardV 35, but when the secondary board 35 is moved forwardly by the coin-control mechanism 38 the holes 36 and 31 in the secondary board V35 will be aligned with the holes VI2 and I4 and'pockets25-30 inclusive, and will allow the balls to dropthrough the aligned holes to a v sub-floor 4B. Y v n Y vThe'sub-iloor 40, like theplaying board V3 and the secondary board 35, extends at a considerable the projector Il, as will be more fully described hereinafter. i A

The trap I5 is' formed by. guide bar 2 I, spacing barV 4I, cross bar 42 and bottom piece 43. Part of the board 3 is cut out in order to provide space Vfor the bottom piece Y43 which is hinged to the Yboard 3 by means of a hingeY 44 and screws 45.

The bottom piece 43 'is provided with a slit'46 through which protrudes an extension 4lV of contact 48.Y The lower Vend of the bottom piece 43 rests upon the upper .part of cam 49, which is pivotally mounted upon bracket 50 which in turn Vis adaptedto urge the arm 56 outward. The

solenoid plunger arm 55 is provided with an extending rod 58, the end of which is enlarged and provided with Va stop pin 59. Pivoted inthe outer end oi the rod 58 is a lever 65, one arm 6I of which is provided with a pawl which is adapted v toengage a pin 53 on cam 49, and the other arm 52 of which is at right angles to said arm 5I and Yis adapted to engage the trip pin 52.

The constructionV of the other traps is similar to that of trap I5 and will be apparent from the foregoing description. Each of the traps is provided with the operating mechanism just'described; .Y

Attached to the upper end of the secondary boardV 35 are Vsix rods 64 which are `adapted to `engage the cams 45 and move them forward, and Vtherebyrrelea'se any balls that may be in said traps when thesecondary board 35 is moved forwardly by the coin-control mechanism38.

By referring particularly to Figures 1 and Y2, it will be observed that one of the holes I2, which is indicated by the reference character 65, may be selected asv the particular pocket in which a ball may be placed to cause the operation of the trap releasing mechanism.

Y The secondary board 35 does not extend under the pocket'65 so that a ball placed in this pocket will immediately pass through the pocket 65 toV the sub-floor 45. However, an electrical contact mechanism or master switch may be interposed between the playing board 3 and the subiioor V4B, which I have illustrated in the Figure 2. VThis electrical contact'mechanism maybe Yselected of any suitable size, shape or form, so that a ball dropping through' the pocket E5 will close an electric circuit, starting the operation of the trap releasing mechanism. s

In the form of the device illustrated herein, the master electric contact mechanism consists Y of a trough 57S, pivoted at 6l upon a suitable bearing member 68 secured to the sub-floor lli). 'Ihe other end 69 of the trough 66 is provided with an arm 10 arranged to engage and Vclose a pair of electrical contacts 'II which will complete a circuit, as shown in Figure 2, extending from an Y electric battery, 12,(preferably a number of dry cells Ycontained Within the cabinet) by way of Vconductor I3, contacts il, conductor 14, solenoid Vl5,` conductor :16, to the opposite end of the batteryIZ. Y

The electric driving means including the solenoid l5 is provided with a'plunger arm 1l, which is provided with aV connecting link 18. Pivoted in the connecting link 'I8 is an arm 85 which is mounted on a shaft 8l, and which isconnected to apin 82 by a spring 83. The shaft 8| extends through the :door 84 of the cabinet 3 and a bushing 86. Mounted on the shaft 8| are ratchet 86, latch wheel 81 and contact wheel 86. The ratchet 86, latch wheel 8'! and contact wheel 88 are secured together by means of rivets 89. Mounted upon the arm 80 is a pawl 90 which is adapted to be kept in engagement with the ratchet 86 by means of a spring 9| which is also mounted upon the arm 80.

The latch wheel 81 has six notches 93, which are adapted to be engaged by the end of a spring 94.

The commutating switch or contact wheel 88 has a protrusion 95 which is adapted to engage the contact fingers 96. There are as many notches 93 and contact fingers 96 as there are traps. Each of the contact fingers 96 is connected to an electrical indicator in the form oi electric light 91 and to a bimetallic thermostatic switch 98, which is adapted to make contact with a contact member 99 when its elements have been sufficiently heated to cause its operation. Each of the six contacts 99 is connected to a different control switch release or solenoid by means of a conductor |00. A contact inger |0| is adapted to be kept in continuous engagement with the contact wheel 88. The contact iinger |0| is connected to the battery 12 by means of conductor |02.

As shown in Figures 2 Vand 8, the lower end of the sub-iioor 40 is provided with a spring |03 which extends through a slot |04 in the sub-floor 40. The spring |03 is adapted to be depressed by a ball resting on the sub-floor 40, thereby closing supervisory switch contact |05. The contact 05 is carried on a bimetallic thermostatic switch arm and heater coil unit |06 which is of such construction that it delays the operation of the contact |05 for a su'lcient predetermined length of time after the last ball has been removed from the sub-oor 40 in order to allow the circuit to be closed While said ball is in play.

The circuit extends from battery 12 through conductor |01, the heater coil |06 and normally closed contacts |06 to conductor |26 and back to battery 12. Thus, so long as contacts |06' remain closed by a ball in the slot |04, the heater |06 will be connected in circuit with battery 12, the heater circuit being broken as soon as the last ball moves off of the slot |04 so that contacts |05 will remain closed for a short time until the bimetallic heater arm cools oiT, whereupon the circuit through lamps |24 and contacts |05 will be broken to battery '|2, and the signal means |24 de-energized.

By referring particularly to Figures 7 and 8, it will be understood that when the balls have been played upon the board 3, and have been released by forward movement of the secondary board 35, the balls falling upon the sub-iioor 40 will move toward the lower end of the cabinet where these balls will come to rest in a suitable trough preferably extending as shown in Figure 8 at an angle to the horizontal to direct the balls toward the right-hand side of the cabinet i It will be observed, however, that the level of the subi-hoor 40 is considerably lower than the level of the playing board 3, and in order to restore the balls to the playing level it is necessary to provide a ball-elevating mechanism. A simple form of ball-elevating mechanism is shown herein as comprising a sector 2 pivoted as at H3 to the board, constituting the right-hand side Wall of the cabinet The sector 2 projects through a suitable slot I I4 in the trough l to engage the ball ||5 lying closest to the right-hand wall ofthe cabinet at a point slightly to the left of the center of the ball i5. Thus by swinging the sector ||2 about its pivot ||3 the ball ||5 will be iiited by the edge of the sector ||2 in a vertical direction until it becomes level with a recess ||6 constituting an extension of the channel 0.

t is usual to provide a partition wall |'1 in the lower end of the cabinet l, and this wall may constitute one of the walls of the trough so that the ball will be guided by the partition in a Vertical direction. The recess H6 is illustrated in Figure 8 as having its lower surface inclined slightly toward the right-hand side of the cabinet so that once the balls have been lifted up to the recess ||6 they will move into the recess and remain therein even though the sector ||2 is retracted to its normal position as shown in Figure 7.

rThe sector may be operated in any suitable manner, though I prefer to provide a plunger 8 extending through the lower end 5 of the cabinet and arranged to be pressed inwardly by the person playing the game, the inner end of the plunger ||8 engaging one edge of the sector ||2 so that the inward movement of the plunger will cause the sector |2 to be rotated to lift the balls one by one into the recess IIB. As soon as the pressure is released from the sector H2, it returns to its normal position as shown in Figure 7, due to its construction.

The game may be played in many diierent ways, one o1" the preferred ways being as follows:

A coin or other suitable token is placed in the coin control mechanism 38 and pressure is applied to the end of said mechanism which moves the secondary board 35 and the rods 64 forwardly.

The traps |5-2| inclusive are thereby sprung, and the holes in the board 3 are thereby aligned with the holes in the sub-fioor 40 which allows the balls to drop through the aligned holes to the sub-oor 40 ,and ldown the sub-door 40 to the trough l The plunger I8 is pressed inwardly and a ball in trough l is thereby lifted into the channel I0. The ball in the channel |0 is then projected by the projecting mechanism so as to enter one of the traps |5-2| inclusive. The ball in the trap closes contact 48 of the ball-operated control switch 4'1-48, and the circuit which extends from battery 'l2 through conductors |20 and |2|, contact 48, conductors |22 and |23, electric light or signal means |24, conductors |25, contact |05 and conductor |26 to the opposite end of the battery 12 is closed, which lights the electric light |24 just below the trap that holds the ball.

'Ihe p-rojecting of a ball into one of the traps may be repeated, depending upon the skill of the player until all of the traps |5-2| inclusive are occupied. The balls that are projected but which are not projected into one oi the traps come to rest in either one of the holes l2, the elongated hole I4 or pass through the skill hole 65.

When a ball is projected into the skill hole 65, it falls on trough 0S thereby completing an electrical circuit through the master switch as mentioned on page 2, column 2, lines 58-70. The ball rolls oi of trough 66 onto sub-floor 40 and back to the trough for replay.

The closing of the above mentioned circuit operates solenoid 'l5 which causes the rotation of the contact or commutator wheel 86, the latch wheel 8l, and the ratchet 86 in a clockwise direction. Just as soon as the contact between contacts 1| is broken, the spring 83 causes the arm 85 to return to its normal position as shown in Figure 2. Y

The rotation of the contact wheel 98 causes the protrusion 95 to momentarily contact contact iingers 95 and thereby momentarily closesvthe circuits mentioned on page 3, column 1,7lines lifi-'56 herein, causing one of the lights 91 to flicker, there being six such circuits.

Switches 98 are of such construction that the momentary closing of the above circuitsr does not cause the operation ofV said switches.

'I'he 'thermostatic switches 98 are of such construction that the rotation of the Contact wheel 88 causes the thermostatic switch which was in contact with contact 99 to open, thereby allowing the spring 5l to push the solenoid plunger arm 58 outward and pawl lever arm 5 lV to become inV engagement with pin S3 oiV cam 49.

The rotation of the contact wheel 88, latch wheel 8l and ratchet 85 is finally brought to a stop'by means of the braking action of the pawl 99 and the spring 95. The spring 94 is of such Y construction as to insure the stopping of the latch wheel 81 with the end of the spring 94 in engage- Yment with one of the notches 93Y in said latch wheel. .y Y Y After the contact wheel 88V comes to rest, the steady flow of currentl through Vthe bimetallic switch 98 causes the switch to Yrotate and contact contact member 99 and thereby causes the sole- Y The circuit which is closedV noid 55 to operate. l Y extends from one end of the battery 12, through conductor l2,ccntact finger ll, contact wheel 88, contact'iinger 95, thermostatic switch 98, contact 99,' conductor |00, solenoid 55 and back to the opposite terminal of the battery l2 by means of conductor |26. 'Y

The operation of Y the solenoidV 55Vcauses the retraction of solenoid plunger arm 56 which causes the forward movement of the cam 59, thereby allowing the door piece 43 of the trap ,toV drop and the ball, if any, in said trap to roll,

fromsaid trap toone of the pockets 25-39 inclusive, depending upon the location of the opened trap. The construction and arrangement of theguide pieces 2l-2ll inclusive is such that Y the ball ordinarily falls into the viirst pocket below the trap, but at times it does Vnot so doVand falls 'into one of the lower pockets.

As the solenoid plunger arm 55 is retracted, the lever arm 52 engages the trip pin 52 which causes the rotation of the lever 5t to the right and Y the pin 63 to become free of engagement with the pawl lever arm 6i, as the solenoid plunger arm 5S continuesl to be retracted. The cam 49 is then returned to its original position by means of spring 54, thereby raising the floor piece 43 and closing theY trap.

As soon as the ball falls from the trap the con-V tact i8 is opened which opens the circuit the description of which begins on page 3, column 2, line 45 herein, thereby causing theV light i211 to go 01T.

The continued operation of theY game will be Y apparent to those skilled in the art vfrom the foregoing description. y

As illustrated in Figures l and 3, diamond shaped `portions 'of the board 3 directly below each of the .traps fl 5-21 inclusive may be cut away and diierently colored glasses of that shape inserted therein, said glasses being flush with the Y top surface of the board when inserted therein.

The signalspr lights ld are disposed below the diamond-'shaped glasses. The glasses may be Vconveniently numbered as shown in Figure 1, and

the corresponding indicator or light 91 given the same numbersl Y Y l, Y As shown in Figures 1,' 5 and 6, in order to make the gaine more attractive, the portion of the board Vabove the electric indicator lights 91 may be cut away in the form of a six-pointedV star and a transparent indicator of that shape -Vinserted therein, which when inserted is flush with, the

top surface .of the board. Y

The design shown in Figure 1 makes a Very desirable indicator. The indicator has six main sections, each of which is disposed over one of the lights 91. The transparent surface of the indicator may be colored rglass and each section may be of different colored glass. The numerals on the indicator are arranged to correspond with the electrical releasing mechanism so that the nu-V meral which is lit when the latch wheel comes to rest indicates the trap which is released, and corresponds to the numeral below thetrap which is released.

For example, the lowest contact iinger 9B in Figure 2 is connected to the solenoid 55 located beneath the trap i5. The numeral 1 is placed on the indicator below the lightV 91 in circuit with Y the above mentioned contact ringer and the same numeral is placed below the trapl l5 above the signal light or controlled means H24. The contact ngers beginning to the left of theabove mentioned contact ringer are connected to the solenoids located below traps l5, Vi, i8, I9 and 29 respectively and the lights in circuit with said contact fingers are numbered 3, 5, 2, ll and6 respectively, which numerals correspond to the numerals located below thetraps respectively, as shown in Figure 1. The glass below the numerals 1 and 2 may be colored red, the glass below numerals 3 and 4 green and the glass below the numerals 5 and 6 yellow, or' any other attractive color scheme may be utilized.Y

In a modification of my device, IY have the trap releasing mechanism open two of the traps Yat once, instead of just one as shown in the drawings. This maybe accomplished by the use of aY contact wheelV having two protrusions 95. l

' Although I have described my invention with respect to certain particular embodiments thereof, nevertheless I do not desire to be limited to the particular details shown and described'except as clearly specified in the appended claims, since many changes, modifications: and substitutions Y may be made without departing from my invention in its broader aspects, which may be found useful in many other applications thereof.

Y I claim: l

l. Control mechanism for pin ball game apparatus, and including a master switch arranged in said game apparatus for operation by a ball, a control switch also arranged in said game apparatus for operation by a ball, and a commutating switch having Velectrical driving means energized by operation of said master switch, signal` indicator means operable by said commutator switch, a control switch arranged in said game device for operation by a ball, and signal means operable by said control switch, together with ball-operated switch means for rendering said signal means inoperative after the same has been operated a predetermined length of time by said control switch and after said predetermined number of balls has been played.

3. Electrical control mechanism for use with game devices including a propelled and projected instrumentality, said mechanism comprising a master switch arranged in said game device for operation by an instrumentality as aforesaid, an electrically actuated commutator switch controlled by said master switch, a control switch arranged in said game device for operation by an instrumentality as aforesaid, controlled means operable by said control switch, together with means cooperable with said commutator switch for rendering said controlled means inoperable after a predetermined period of operation.

4. Control mechanism for pin ball game apparatus, and including a master switch' arranged in said game apparatus for operation by a ball, an electrical commutator switch operated by said master switch, a control switch arranged in said game apparatus for operation by a ball, releasable latch means for said control switch and perable to hold a ball in operative relation with respect to said control switch, and electrical latch releasing means operable by said commutating switch.

5. Control mechanism for a ball game device, and including a master switch positioned in said game device for operation by a ball, an electrical commutator switch operable by said master switch, a plurality of control switches arranged in said game device for operation by a played ball, releasable holding means for holding a played ball in position to operate a particular control switch, controlled means operable by said control switches, together witlr electrically operable release means for said holding means and selectively operable by said commutator switch to render said particular control switch inoperative.

6. Control mechanism for ball game apparatus, and including a master switch positioned in said game apparatus for operation by a ball, an electrical commutator switch operable by said master switch, a plurality of control switches arranged in said game apparatus for operation by a played ball, releasable holding means for holding a played ball in position to operate a particular control switch, controlled means operable by said control switches, release means for said holding means and delayed action means operable selectively by said commutator switch to release said holding means after said control switch has been operated, whereby said controlled means will be rendered inoperative.

7. Control mechanism for game apparatus of the pin-ball type, said mechanism comprising a master switch arranged in said game apparatus for operation by a played ball, a plurality of control switches arranged in said apparatus for operation by a played ball, releasable holding means for holding a played ball in position to operate one of said control switches, electrical release mechanism for said holding means, a commutator switch for selectively operating said electrical release mechanism, electrical operating means for said commutating switch and operably controlled by said master switch, signal means operable by said control switches, and delayed-action switch means in circuit with said electrical release mechanism and selectively operable by said commutating switch to energize the electrical release mechanism as aforesaid after a lapse of time, responsive to the operation of said master switch by a played ball, whereby said control switches may be rendered inoperative.

8. Control mechanism for pin-ball game apparatus and comprising: a plurality of control switches and releasable operating means therefor arranged in the game apparatus for engagement by a played ball and operable to hold a played ballin switch-operating position; electrical release mechanism for each of said operating means; a commutating switch for selectively operating said release mechanism; electrical actuating means for said commutating switch; a master switch arranged in said game apparatus for operation by a played ball and adapted to energize said electrical actuating means of the commutating switch, together with signal means operatively associated with each of said control switches.

9. Control mechanism for pin-ball game mechanism and comprising: a plurality of control switches and releasable operating means therefor arranged in the game mechanism for engagement by a played ball and operable to hold a played ball in switch-operating position; electrical release mechanism for each of said operating means; a commutating switch for selectively operating said release mechanism; electrical actuating means for said commutating switch; a master switch arranged in said game mechanism for operation by a played ball and adapted to energize said electrical actuating means of the commutating switch, together with signal means operatively associated with each of said control switches, and thermostatic time-delay switch means operable by said commutating switch and in circuit with said electrical release mechanism for operation of said release mechanism commutating switch is being changed.

10. Control mechanism for pin-ball game apparatus having a determined number of balls for play, said mechanism comprising: means for storing said determined number of balls for play; a plurality of control switches arranged in said game apparatus and provided with releasable operating means adapted for operative engagement by a played ball and eiective to hold said ball in operating position until released; electrical release means for said control switches; signal means selectively operable by said control switches; a power circuit; a ball-operated supervisory switch in said power circuit and arranged in said ball storing means to render said signal means operable so long as one of said determined number of balls is in said storing means, and means for selectively operating said release means and including a commutating switch and electrical drive means therefor for selectively connecting said release means in said power circuit, together with a master switch in said power circuit and arranged in said game apparatus for operation by a played ball and effective to energize said commutating switch drive means.

while said FRANK K. MAITLAND.

preventing. 

